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CITIZEN
‘Life In Your Glass World’
Album Review

(22nd February, 2021)

Reviewer – Kayla Hamilton

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Being a band that does not allow itself to be pigeon-holed into a certain genre can come with its pros and cons. Fortunately for the Ohio-based band Citizen, they seem to have harnessed all the pros with their latest offering, Life in Your Glass World. Avoiding the comfort zones as well as restrictions that have hampered them in the past, the band realised they had to do something different when approaching this new album. Opting to do everything ‘in-house’, Citizen took the initiative with all parts of this album. Not wanting to get lost in the process and feel as connected to the music as possible, vocalist Mat Kerekes built a studio in his garage. With a new found sense of creative freedom, the convenience of everything being so close and the excitement that comes with taking on a new venture, Life in Your Glass World was born.

This one is for those who love to listen to the spectrum of emo, alternative/indie rock and even dabbling into post-hardcore. With songs that inspire that nostalgia of years past but at the same time somewhat refreshing, the lyrics from the track ‘Edge of the World’ say it the best, this album has “got so much to offer.” Starting with somewhat heavy but still catchy ‘Death Dance Approximately’ catches your ear from the get-go. This sets the tone for what you can expect, especially as it goes into the groovy and danceable ‘I Want to Kill You’ and the further down the track listing ‘Call your Bluff’. It is important to highlight though that it is not all fast-paced and funky. Citizen show their versatility with some slower jams like ‘Blue Sunday’ and ‘Thin Air’. On every track Kerekes vocals ooze emotion and feeling, with no note or word sounding forced. A voice that is caressed by the guitars, everything on this album just feels effortless- that does not take away any of its musical complexity.

As the album goes on, it is obvious that capturing and highlighting rhythm and groove was at the forefront of the bands mind. The rhythm section drives this album, dancing between a driving force and a sultry inclusion. Particularly on the tracks ‘Fight Beat’ and ‘Call your Bluff’, the drums and bass really take centre stage. There is a heartbeat to this album that only grows stronger and more human as it progresses. By the time you reach the last few tracks ‘Glass World’ and ‘Winter Buds’, you cannot help but feel connected to every sound that is capture. The guitar solo in ‘Winter Buds’ is a highlight and once the final track, the previously mentioned, ‘Edge of the world’, it is evident that Citizen have created an album to be proud of.

If Citizen have not been on your radar before, then this is a brilliant introduction. If they are a band in your regular rotation, this is sure to become a new favourite. It takes a lot of guts to take the risk of going out on your own as a band- but it is clear that the risk was well-worth it. The perfect marriage of creative freedom and technical song-writing skill, Life in Your Glass World is an unpretentious and fun instant classic.

Review by Kayla Hamilton

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Check out CITIZEN below
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AMNPLIFY – DB